TriE HONGKEW MARKET. H^ 



*' But, Ah ! you came to have a chat about game, the supply, the prospects. Well you 

 know that this has been rather a prolific season for pheasants, hares and deer. The weather 

 of course, will determine the quantity of wildfowl that finds its way to market. Perhaps 

 the coming Comet may give them a fright. Who knows ? My reports from up-country are to 

 the effect that deer are more numerous than usual, but a heavy winter flood such as we had a 

 couple of years ago would naturally shorten supplies. However, the market is at present 

 well stocked with both flying and ground game, a fact sufficiently indicated by the prices 

 ruling. See, here comes my day's supply — 60 hares, and as many brace of pheasants, 

 together with, as the auctioneers say, 'a long line of sundries,' but they will all be sold before 

 the market closes to-morrow. Yes, you can tell your friends that there is plenty of game this 

 season, and that my ' shootey-men ' frequently come across new country now that the 

 railway is opening up districts which are not get-at-able by boats." As I was leaving one 

 of his attendants placed in my ricksha a suggestively seasonable hamper, and as I waived 

 Cheng Kee my adieus I called out " I shouldn't be a bit surprised if you saw some murdered 

 version of what you have been telling me in print one of these fine days." His reply 

 savoured of the wisdom of the world. "Yes, some candid friend is bound to come along by 

 and bye and tell me that I have said nothing but what everybody knew." 



■-M ;a ' »aB <i g>» < — 



